MATA Trolley in Memphis, Tennessee

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Memphis, Tennessee · Updated October 19, 2026 · 10 min read

Trolley and streetcar museumTrain ridesService varies by line; check MATA before riding

The MATA Trolley is a heritage streetcar system run by the Memphis Area Transit Authority, with vintage and replica cars rolling on rails through downtown Memphis since the first line opened in 1993.

  • First line opened in 1993
  • Three lines built by 2004
  • Vintage and replica streetcars
  • Run by Memphis Area Transit Authority
  • Printed maps at transit centers

MATA Trolley at a glance

Hours
Service times vary by line; check MATA's trolley map and service updates
Admission
Transit fare; MATA lists current fares on its website
Train rides
Vintage and replica streetcars downtown; confirm which lines are running
Best for
Families exploring downtown Memphis by streetcar
Accessibility
Hearing and speech impaired line: (901) 523-2817

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to MATA Trolley? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Memphis.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Streetcars back on Main Street

The MATA Trolley is a working heritage streetcar system, not a museum building. The Memphis Area Transit Authority opened the first line in 1993, and by 2004 the system had grown to three routes: the Main Street Line, the Riverfront Loop and the Madison Avenue Line. Railfan guides date the start of Main Street service to April 29.

Vintage and replica streetcars run on fixed rail down Main Street, the heart of the system. A local explainer notes that the riverfront and Madison Avenue lines, which head toward the Medical District, have not always been fully staffed or running, and that the trolley is a downtown service rather than a citywide one. For families that simply means checking MATA's current service before setting out. The story of the city's earlier street railways is told at the Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum inside Central Station, which the transit authority helped inspire.

Riding the rails downtown

Expect a city ride rather than an exhibit: board a streetcar on Main Street, watch downtown roll past the windows, and hop off near the sights you came to see. MATA publishes a trolley route map online, and printed trolley brochures are available at all of its transit centers.

Don’t miss

  1. The Main Street LineThe backbone of the system and the line most visitors ride, with streetcars running on rails straight through downtown.
  2. Memphis Central StationRailfan guides note Amtrak service at Central Station, and the Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum is inside, which makes it a good stop along a trolley day.

A real streetcar ride for small train fans

For a child who loves trains, riding a streetcar along Main Street can be the highlight of a Memphis trip. MATA does not post kid-specific information, fares or stroller rules for the trolleys online, so call (901) 274-6282 before you go if you are bringing a stroller or need help planning a route.

Plan your visit: tips for MATA Trolley

  • Pick up a printed trolley brochure at any MATA transit center.
  • Check MATA's service updates first; not every line has always been running.
  • Pair a ride with the Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum at Central Station.
  • Call MATA at (901) 274-6282 with route questions.

Run by the city's transit agency

The trolleys are operated by the Memphis Area Transit Authority, the public transit agency for Memphis, from administrative offices at One Commerce Square on South Main. MATA invites rider feedback by phone, email or an online form, and the best way to support the system is simply to ride it.

Rail history near the trolley lines

Start or finish at the Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum, which sits inside Central Station downtown. For a longer day trip, the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum in Jackson is about 76 miles away, and the Missouri Pacific Depot Museum in Newport, Arkansas, is about the same distance west. More ideas are on our Tennessee train museums page.

Every train museum in Tennessee

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Streetcar windows sit low and close to the sidewalk, so a small rider can watch a whole city slide by. In our book Rally gets the window seat, peeks through an arched window at the ocean and says hello to a white bird. Main Street in Memphis has no ocean, but I think a corgi with his nose to the glass would find plenty to greet.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at MATA Trolley?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

MATA Trolley: 20 questions riders ask

What is the MATA Trolley in Memphis?

The MATA Trolley is a heritage streetcar system in Memphis, Tennessee, operated by the Memphis Area Transit Authority. Vintage and replica streetcars run on fixed rail through downtown. The first line opened in 1993, and the system had three lines by 2004. It is a downtown service, not a citywide network.

What are the MATA Trolley lines?

The system was built with three lines: the Main Street Line, the Riverfront Loop and the Madison Avenue Line, which heads out toward the Medical District. A local guide notes that the riverfront and Madison lines have not always been fully staffed or running, so check MATA's trolley map and service updates for what is operating now.

When did the Memphis trolley open?

The first MATA Trolley line opened in 1993, and railfan guides give April 29 as the date Main Street service began. The system grew to three lines by 2004. All of it is operated by the Memphis Area Transit Authority as part of the city's public transit.

Is the Main Street Trolley running now?

MATA posts current trolley information on its trolley map page and in its monthly service updates, so check there on the day you plan to ride. You can also call the MATA call center at (901) 274-6282, which handles rider questions and feedback, to confirm service.

How much does it cost to ride the MATA Trolley?

Trolley fares are set by the Memphis Area Transit Authority and listed with its other fares on matatransit.com. Fare amounts can change, so check the fares section of MATA's site, or call (901) 274-6282, before you ride.

What are the MATA Trolley hours?

MATA does not post a single set of trolley hours. Service times are posted through its route schedules, trolley map and service updates on matatransit.com. Check there or call (901) 274-6282 before planning a ride, since schedules change.

Where can I get a MATA Trolley map?

MATA posts a trolley route map on its website covering the Madison, Riverfront and Main Street lines. Printed trolley brochures are available at all MATA transit centers, including the William Hudson Transit Center at 444 N. Main Street. For more information, call MATA at (901) 274-6282.

Are the Memphis trolleys real vintage streetcars?

The fleet includes both vintage and replica streetcars, according to a local guide to the Main Street line. Encyclopedia listings call the system a heritage streetcar line, meaning it uses historic-style cars on rails as working public transit rather than as a museum ride.

Is riding the MATA Trolley good for kids?

For a train-loving child, a streetcar ride down Main Street is a simple and memorable outing, and you can step off at downtown stops along the way. MATA does not post child fares or stroller rules for the trolleys online, so call (901) 274-6282 to ask before you go.

Can I take a stroller on the Memphis trolley?

MATA does not post stroller guidance for the trolleys online. Call the MATA call center at (901) 274-6282 before your ride to ask about folding requirements and boarding, especially if you are traveling with a young child and bags.

Is the MATA Trolley accessible?

MATA does not describe trolley accessibility in detail online. Riders with accessibility questions can call the call center at (901) 274-6282, and MATA offers a hearing and speech impaired line at (901) 523-2817. Ask about boarding at the stops you plan to use.

Where does the Main Street Trolley go?

The Main Street Trolley runs on fixed rail down Main Street through downtown Memphis. Railfan guides list a location at 547 N. Main Street and note that Amtrak serves Memphis Central Station on South Main. MATA's trolley map shows the current route and stops.

Can I ride the trolley from Amtrak in Memphis?

Railfan guides point out that Amtrak serves Memphis Central Station, on South Main, and that the trolley system is reachable from there. Check MATA's trolley map for the nearest stop and confirm the Main Street Line is running on your travel day.

Who operates the Memphis trolleys?

The trolleys are operated by the Memphis Area Transit Authority, known as MATA, which also runs the city's buses. MATA's administrative offices are at One Commerce Square, 40 S. Main Street, and its operations center is at 1370 Levee Road.

How do I contact MATA about the trolley?

Call the MATA call center and customer relations department at (901) 274-6282, or (901) 523-2817 for the hearing and speech impaired. Feedback can also go to ridersfirst@matatransit.com or through MATA's online feedback form. MATA is also on Facebook, Instagram and X as RideMATA.

Is there a trolley museum in Memphis?

Yes. The Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum is inside Central Station at 545 S. Main Street. Its history page says MATA officials helped spark the idea by approaching local model railroaders about a museum covering the city's rail and street railway history.

How long does a ride on the Memphis trolley take?

MATA does not publish a typical ride length. The system is a downtown service, so most family rides are short hops between stops. Check the route schedules on matatransit.com to plan timing between the places you want to visit.

Does the MATA Trolley run on holidays?

MATA keeps a holiday hours page and posts inclement weather notices on its website, so check those before riding on a holiday or a stormy day. If you are unsure, call (901) 274-6282 to confirm whether the trolley is running.

Can I track the Memphis trolley in real time?

MATA offers a tool called MATA Tracker on its website, along with a GTFS feed for trip planning apps. Use it to see service information before heading to a stop, and check the monthly service updates for any changes affecting the trolley lines.

What train museums are near the MATA Trolley?

The Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum is right downtown in Central Station. Farther out, the Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum in Mississippi is about 73 miles away, and the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum in Jackson, Tennessee, and the Missouri Pacific Depot Museum in Newport, Arkansas, are each about 76 miles.

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